GRAND RAPIDS -- Even while he was with the parent club Detroit Red Wings, goaltender Joey MacDonald made sure to keep tabs on the Grand Rapids Griffins' current playoff push.

Even if that required bugging goaltending coach Jim Bedard between periods of games.

MacDonald is back in Grand Rapids now that Chris Osgood has returned from hernia surgery, and practiced with the Griffins on Tuesday morning at Griff's IceHouse.

He had been with the Red Wings since Jan. 24 in his third stint with the team this season. He also was with Detroit from Oct. 28-Dec. 1 and Jan. 9-21.

"You never know what's going to happen when you sign a two-way (contract), and that was 43, 44 games that I was up there," MacDonald said. "I missed a lot here, I know that, but I know this is a great group of guys and I'm excited to be back and help every which way I can."

In 10 appearances with the Red Wings, 31-year-old is 3-4-1 with a 2.48 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. In 20 games with the Griffins, he is 10-9-1 with a 2.78 GAA and .894 save percentage.

MacDonald won't automatically be handed the No. 1 spot now that he's back. Grand Rapids coach Curt Fraser said that role will continue to be held by Jordan Pearce, who is 9-1-1-3 with a 2.59 GAA and .914 save percentage in his past 14 decisions.

"We were looking for a guy to grab hold of those reins and take charge, and he's done it," Fraser said. "He manufactures wins, he produces points for us, he's been great. But he needs help, and this is the perfect combination now."

MacDonald understands Pearce's recent hot streak makes him a backup once again, at least for now. Pearce also has started the past 13 games.

"Pearcey's been doing a great job, especially playing four games in five nights or three games in three nights," MacDonald said. "I remember those days. I played a bunch of them and it's tough for a goalie, especially that third game in four nights. It's tough. A lot of mental right there."

Fraser praised the work and attitude Pearce's temporary backup, Jimmy Spratt, who was released from his professional tryout, but said MacDonald's return will be a huge lift for the team.

"It's great to have Joey back. Every time he came back from Detroit this year or he was here for any length of time, he really stabilized us in goal," Fraser said. "Pearcey's been fantastic and I think this is going to make him even better. And now, we can give Jordan a little bit of a rest once in a while, a little bit of a break instead of having him play every game."

MacDonald is confident that he'll be able to perform well whenever he's given his next start, especially since he faced shots from the likes of Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg on a regular basis in practice with the Red Wings.

With the Griffins playing five times at home in the next eight days, it shouldn't be long until he's back between the pipes.

"I feel my game is really good right now. Whenever you're playing with one of the best teams in the National Hockey League, it never hurts your game," MacDonald said. "Down here, I'm ready to go. I know we've got a lot of games coming up here, so you need two good goalies. I know Pearce has done a great job, but I'm ready to get in here and get rolling."